Shorty

via Fashion Distraction, similar shorts here.

Summer time is shorts-wearing time! (It's also bikini-wearing time, but I thought we'd focus on something that requires a few less crunches, today.)

Anywhoodle, it's no secret that I enjoy a presh pair of shorts. I'm such a fan of showing some leg during the warmer months. I like to think of shorts as "subdued sexy", rather than overt. They allow you to display some skin but still cover your derriere, (unlike some of the hoochie-tastic dresses we see in the summer sometimes...yowza.)

My favorites for summer 2012 are the bright, lace-covered shorts. I'm also a fan of the printed and scalloped shorts, too.

Buy here

Get them here

Smart Shorts in Orange here

Scalloped shorts here.

These green Knicker shorts from ASOS are adorably preppy! I mean, can't you just envision Kate Middleton sporting these?

Buy 'em here

For more "mature" ladies or gals who just want to show a little less gam, these Ann Taylor shorts are classically pretty.

Ann Taylor shorts here

Here

You can also enjoy the pop of color of the shorter shorts, but in a longer length with these from ASOS.

Smart Shorts in Longer Length from ASOS

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Now, let's talk about what not to wear.

At all costs though, PLEASE don't wear the "Mom" short. I guess the proper term is "Bermuda" shorts, but I just like to call it "gross". Nothing will make you look frumpier or dumpier quicker than right-above-the-knee shorts. I think it has something to do with the cut and how the legs taper in at the knee. You are all far too cute to do this to yourselves, ladies. I don't care if you're 16 or 60, size 2 or 22. Just don't do it.

AVOID!!!! AVOID!!!!NO!!!!!!!  NO!!!!!!

Okay, what have we learned today? Shorts in bright colors are good. Shorts with scalloping are good. Longer shorts are dandy, too.

And Bermuda shorts should find themselves a nice home in the bottom of a wastebasket.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Weekend in Pics: Crystal Bridges

This weekend, we hosted our good friends Melissa and Ben. M and B are one of our very favorite couples and they are actually getting married this fall (eeek!) They got engaged the month after our wedding last September and they really couldn't be more perfect for each other.

P.S. Ben- I got to see Melissa's dress and buddy, you are in for a treat! Gorgeous!

We spent the past two days bopping around Northwest Arkansas and eating delicious, local food, touring the new Crystal Bridges Museum and riding around Beaver Lake on the boat. It was a darn good weekend, here in our neck of the woods.

The museum was just incredible. The fact that we have such an amazing attraction right in our own backyard speaks volumes about how far NWA has come in terms of embracing culture. I mean, we Arkansans hardly ever wear shoes, have access to electricity or utilize indoor plumbing, so this was a real treat : )


(Hear that? It's the sound of me inserting my tongue into my cheek.)

Encased in a trees and wildflowers, the museum is built in a circular layout with tons of exposed beams, natural light and aged steel. Additionally, Crystal Bridges Museum was the only U.S. location to make it on Travel & Leisure's "Hottest Travel Destinations" list for 2012-2013!

In fact, one Drew Barrymore was in town just two weeks ago visiting our little attraction.

I've always been proud to be from Arkansas, but places like the Clinton Library and this museum make me so thankful to live in a state that appreciates both the slow pace of life and the beauty of fine art.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Confessional Friday: Link-Up

• I’ll probably be hanged for saying this, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. I confess that I stopped reading Fifty Shades of Grey. I really wanted to like it, but the writing just didn’t do it for me personally. I realize that the draw of this book isn’t the well-conceived plot or the character development, but I need something more than just naughtiness to keep my attention. Don’t get me wrong, I love an, ahem, “adventurous” book, but I can’t put up with a protagonist exclaiming, “double crap!” in every other sentence.

           I’m just happy people are reading again, though. And if you’re a fan, read on – there’s 

           no judgment here. 

• I confess that I'm getting a spray tan over lunch today. I apologize in advance to my dear co-workers who will have to smell me : ) We're hosting company this weekend on the lake and boat, so I've got to be tan for the bikini!

•  I confess that I wish our summers were a bit less scheduled. I love socializing, but our weekends are exhausting as of late. Next weekend we’re supposed to go to St. Louis and, though I’m so excited to have a mini vacay, I’m tired just thinking about all the driving. I think we’ll institute a “low key weekend” policy going forward this summer. 

• I confess that Stephen and I are obsessed with those murder mystery shows on I.D. network. Just call us Mamaw and Papaw. We love coming home and watching those after work. Yes friends, we are that exciting. And if Murder She Wrote was still on TV, I’d bet dollars to pesos we’d be watching that, too. (Remember that show with Angela Lansbury?) 

• I confess that I enjoy myself some Lifetime movies. Stephen and I watched The Drew Peterson Story movie a month ago and became so consumed with it that we were ticked when the DVR cut it off before the last scene. 

• I confess that I’m ready for this presidential election to be over. I’m not about to start a political debate on here, but lawdy mercy! I’m tired of turning on Facebook and seeing nothing but political rants. And I’m also tired of getting those auto-calls from our state senator candidates. I’m aware when voting occurs. I'm a regular voter. But if you auto-call me again, you can be sure I won’t cast my vote for you.

• And finally...the confession to rival all confessions...

I WENT THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU BACKWARD YESTERDAY. I was trying to get a morning coffee at Silver Joe's in Fayetteville and didn't realize that you have to go through counter-clockwise. I had to back up about 20 feet, turn around and go back through correctly. By that time, I was so embarrassed I just said screw it and drove off - red as a beet, I'm sure.

Like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of my life...

 I confess that I love you all dearly. Have a fantastic weekend, y'all.

Be blessed, lovelies-

8 Months + Outfit Pics (!!)

Lots of things today.

Today is our eight month anniversary! I realize it’s probably unnecessary to do a “we’ve been married X months, today!” post every month. But I still feel like a bride : ) And married life is pretty amazing. Why shouldn’t that be celebrated?

Thanks to Stephen for making me his bride.

Let’s see…what else? Oh! I had a comment from someone yesterday that asked me to take an outfit pic with the Webster for Target dress. (I’m guessing to see how I kept it from looking baggy.)

A couple ways you can do this:

•  Buy a size smaller than normal. I bought an XS, but I do believe I could’ve gotten away with an XXS…it was that baggy! (If you're a size 0 or 2, go XS and "tuck" all the loose fabric in with a belt.)
• Cinch it with a belt, PLEASE. This thing will quickly start looking like a tent if you don’t belt it.
• Make it office-appropriate with a cute cardi and some kitten heels or ballet flats.

 Another recent wardrobe find...

I picked up this frock at Savoir-Faire a couple weeks ago when I was shopping with a co-worker. It will do nicely for this summer.

I also reworked this skirt that I bought last fall and never wore. I paired it with a chambray shirt, my fav mint necklace from Maude and a pair of nude heels for a workday outfit. 

Ignore my uber-fabulous picture quality. It is what it is.

 Y’all remember when I asked you about new shampoo? I was getting tired of mine. Turns out, I found one! Joico Smooth Cure Shampoo and Conditioner smells great and gives my color-treated hair a silky texture. I think it’ll be handy this summer when the humidity kicks in full-force.

Y'all have a great Thursday, okay?

Be blessed, lovelies-

Instant Radiance

Why, hello. So nice of you to pop by today.

Instead of the usual Trend Watch Wednesday stuff, I thought we'd talk skincare! You may remember my review of the Simone France skincare line back in March. Well, the folks at SF were so sweet and offered to send me their Instant Radiance mask to try, as well.

I loved it! It was the perfect once-weekly mask for my skincare regime and my face has felt cleaner than ever. In the past, I had issues with other masks drying my skin out, but Instant Radiance is different.

I purposely went light on the make-up, just because I wanted to show you sort of what it has done for me.

Brighter lighting, so you can get a really close look...haha

It removes dead skin cells and impurities that clog pores while also tightening and toning facial skin. It also smells clean and fresh rather than medicinal.

I rarely tout skincare products, in fact, Simone France was the first. But this entire line just made such a difference in my skin personally that I wanted to share with you guys. (I should also say, I'm not making money off this, so these opinions are strictly my own.)

I honestly just like Simone France : )

Not saying it will work wonders for everyone, because I know everyone has different skin types, but if you're into trying new brands and experimenting, I'd highly recommend SF.

Moving on to...make-up!

I've been using the DiorSkin Forever Flawless foundation and liking it, but now that warmer weather is approaching, I've noticed my face just looks bare by the end of the day. Like, my face seems to be eating my make-up.

Weird, right?

So what's a make-up loving gal to do when she notices that her new foundation just isn't cuttin' it?

She goes back to her old standby.

Hello, Estee Lauder Double-Wear.

I'm sorry I ever cheated on you. You kept my face covered flawlessly and stood up to the 117 degree temps last summer. You stuck with me through the dry winter months. You were good to me during college, my first job, my wedding and on my 27th birthday.

Please take me back...okay?

Other summer must-haves include:

NARS blush in Angelika has been a regular in my make-up schtick for over a year. I know...it looks a bit garish, but this silky powder actually creates a beautiful, soft flush. My mom is also a fan, so it works for women of all ages.

Mary Kay Lash Love mascara separates and extends lashes far beyond the reach of most drugstore brands. It works as good as DiorShow and They're Real (by Benefit), but with a much more palatable price.

Victoria's Secret Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray, which is terrific for disguising tan lines. Plus, it smells great!

What products are in your beauty routine right now? Anything worth using is worth sharing, 'ay ladies?

Be blessed, lovelies-